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Celebrating a 100 Year Legacy of Living United

Carolyn Friesch

For 100 years, United Way of Kenosha County, along with our donors and volunteers, has improved lives and made Kenosha a better place for everyone. Embarking on this historic anniversary, one thing is clear: Kenosha is a caring community committed to living united.

United Way of Kenosha County launched on March 29, 1923, by fifteen concerned citizens. Originally named Community Chest Association of Kenosha, the newly formed organization set out to meet local needs by enlisting the community’s support. The following day, Kenosha News reported their meeting as “one of the most enthusiastic meetings of a public nature ever held in Kenosha.”

The first annual campaign was launched in April 1923. Using the slogan, “Suppose Nobody Cared,” Community Chest volunteers inspired and engaged employees and companies. The initial campaign raised over $91,000 and supported eight agencies: Kenosha Hospital, St. Catherine’s Hospital, Kenosha Service League, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Carmelite Sisters, and American Legion. In today’s amount, that equals more than $1.5 million!

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As times changed, so did the Community Chest Association of Kenosha. During the 1940’s, the organization experienced an increase in appeals from health agencies and changed to the War Fund. After World War II, the War Fund dissolved, and the name changed to Kenosha Community Fund, remaining so until 1959 when the organization dissolved once again but this time in favor of a United Funding encompassing all of Kenosha County.

The name changed for the last time in 1973, when the organization’s mission was made to align with the national United Way movement. The board adopted the name United Way of Kenosha County along with the national United Way logo, which is how the organization is still recognized today.

Over the past 100 years, much has changed throughout Kenosha County and around the world. One constant, however, is the caring power of our community, and how we come together to support Kenosha’s local organizations that positively impact the lives of all individuals and families.

Today, United Way of Kenosha County’s mission is to mobilize the caring power of the community to advance the common good. The organization remains true to its founding principle of engaging residents, workers, and employers to make a significant impact in the community.

The holidays can be a tricky time of year for those with small social networks. Experts say that an often-overlooked solution to loneliness is volunteering.

The efforts of United Way of Kenosha County’s annual campaign, programs, and volunteerism support a broad range of services focused on enhancing the quality of life for people of all ages with a special emphasis on education, health, and financial stability. United Way of Kenosha County invites the community to join us in celebrating the legacy of decades of impactful, caring efforts.

Featured events will include a community-wide day of service on April 1st and a celebration dinner on Nov. 11.

Follow United Way of Kenosha County on social media or visit kenoshaunitedway.org to stay up to date on related celebratory happenings. Thank you to Kenosha County for 100 years of Living United!

United Way of Kenosha County – Readers are Leaders

READERS ARE LEADERS

Aria Lott, a first-grader, left, reads with Michelle Eisenhauer during the United Way’s Readers are Leaders event at Brass Elementary School.


Sean Krajacic


Readers are leaders

Readers are leaders

Dave Fountain is shown participating in the United Way’s annual Readers are Leaders event with some Dr. Seuss characters.


SUBMITTED PHOTO

READERS ARE LEADERS

READERS ARE LEADERS

Taevien Lee, in first grade, reads with Brian Ware during a United Way Readers are Leaders event at Brass Elementary School on June 6.


Sean Krajacic


READERS ARE LEADERS

READERS ARE LEADERS

Carma Ruppkent, in kindergarten, center, reads a book with Ajay Bedi, left, and Kathy Norris during the United Way’s Readers are Leaders event at Brass Elementary School on Thursday, June 6, 2019.


Sean Krajacic


READERS ARE LEADERS

READERS ARE LEADERS

From left, Cindy Willer, first-grader Andres Puhr, and Alex Waldo, in kindergarten, read books and write messages during the United Way’s Readers are Leaders event at Brass Elementary School on Thursday.

READERS ARE LEADERS


Sean Krajacic


readers are leaders tamarra coleman.jpg

readers are leaders tamarra coleman.jpg

Tamarra Coleman, executive director of the Shalom Center, poses with members of Eric Elger’s third-grade class at Jeffery Elementary School during Tuesday’s “Readers are Leaders” event organized by United Way of Kenosha County.



readers are leaders Sharon Pomaville.jpg

readers are leaders Sharon Pomaville.jpg

Sharon Pomaville, director of the Sharing Center in Trevor, reads to kindergartners at Lakewood School during Tuesday’s “Readers Are Leaders” event.

readers are leaders Mike Steinborn.jpg

readers are leaders Mike Steinborn.jpg

Mike Steinborn of OccuCare, poses with members of Jackie Steinborn’s first-grade class at Jefferson Elementary School during Tuesday’s “Readers are Leaders” event organized by United Way of Kenosha County.


submitted photo

Thing 1 Thing 2 Jeffery 201938.jpg

Thing 1 Thing 2 Jeffery 201938.jpg

Thing 2 (parent volunteer Libby Troha) and Thing 1 (Jen Kenyon, a noontime supervisor and parent) enliven a classroom volunteer at Jeffery Elementary School during Tuesday’s “Readers Are Leaders” event, organized by United Way of Kenosha County.


submitted photo

Thing 1 Thing 2 Jeffery 201925.jpg

Thing 1 Thing 2 Jeffery 201925.jpg

Thing 2 (Libby Troha) points to a student while taking part in Tuesday’s “Readers Are Leaders” event Tuesday at Jeffery Elementary School.


submitted photos


Thing 1 Thing 2 Jeffery 201934.jpg

Thing 1 Thing 2 Jeffery 201934.jpg

Tamarra Coleman takes a selfie with Thing 1 (Jen Kenyon) and Thing 2 (Libby Troha) during Tuesday’s “Readers Are Leaders” event at Jeffery Elementary School.


submitted photo

Thing 1 Thing 2 Jeffery 201942.jpg

Thing 1 Thing 2 Jeffery 201942.jpg

Thing 2 (Libby Troha) works with students at Jeffery Elementary School during Tuesday’s “Readers Are Leaders” event.


submitted photo

Readers are leaders

Readers are leaders

United Way of Kenosha County Readers are Leaders tutor Crissy Busch, right, has breakfast with her student, kindergartner Jenna Crane.


Jeffrey Zampanti


Readers are leaders

Readers are leaders

United Way of Kenosha County Readers are Leaders tutor Jessie Tuttle, right, has breakfast with her student, second grader Jarvis Rickey-Gaddy, on Friday morning at McKinley Elementary School, 5520 32nd Ave.


Jeffrey Zampanti


Readers are leaders

Readers are leaders

McKinley Elementary third-grader Brayden Smalley celebrates with his tutor Deb Vega on Friday morning at McKinley Elementary School. Smalley improved his reading 13 levels this school year.

Readers are leaders


Jeffrey Zampanti


Readers are leaders

Readers are leaders

About 80 tutors were recognized for their participation in the United Way of Kenosha County Readers are Leaders tutoring program on Friday morning at McKinley Elementary School, 5520 32nd Ave.


Jeffrey Zampanti


READERS ARE LEADERS

READERS ARE LEADERS

Nikki Payne reads to Harvey Elementary School kindergartners during last year’s “Readers are Leaders” event. Volunteers are being sought for this year’s event, which will be March 13.


KENOSHA NEWS FILE PHOTO BY KEVIN POIRIER


READERS ARE LEADERS – year end

READERS ARE LEADERS - year end

Nikki Payne gives Mason Veinot a high five after reading Dr. Seuss’ “ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book!” in his Harvey Elementary kindergarten class in this photo from 2017. She was one of over 200 United Way volunteers who fanned out to local schools to read to students for the Read Acorss America program.


KENOSHA NEWS FILE PHOTO


Carolynn Friesch is chief executive officer of the United Way of Kenosha County.

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